Working from your home helps since you only interact with people via social media or the telephone.

As with anything in life there are divergent paths and there is not a single path for everyone.

All paths lead to pros and cons that you must determine for yourself, and if you are willing to accept the responsibility for your choosing your path.

I offer this caveat, never spend more than your budget will allow and never go into debt to fund your freelancing business.

How comfortable and transparent are you working from home?

By transparent, I don’t mean giving out your personal information. I mean is being your authentic self.

Clients don’t purchase from people they don’t know or don’t trust.

Honing your interpersonal skills is a must to build trust through building relationships with visitors to your blog, website, and social media platforms.

It is how and how often you interact with others in your circle of followers and those following you. Are you helpful, do you answer questions, how often you blog, do you offer education, do you offer value. Why should someone interact with you if you don’t interact with them and other in your chosen niche.

Each individual must create their own schedule of interacting on social media and how much they are willing to interact online,

What does it take to become a freelancer?

I have written about this in posts on this blog. One post is The 7 P’s of Freelance Writing. It was written back some time ago.

In that post, I mentioned certain items that apply to general freelancing as well.

These items are:

Performance –

Presentation –

Professionalism –

Polish –

Personal Contact –

Persistence –

Patience –

I could write about what these words mean to me but if you want to be a freelancer, you will have to find out what these words mean to you in your business, because freelancing is a business, and it you fail to treat it like a business your business is destined to fail.

Call Yourself a Freelancer and They Will Beat a Path to Your Door

First, forget about that happening, especially if you’re an introvert.

Second, do not quit your day job until you are making enough to allow you to do so. Each person must make that determination on just how much money they need to live the lifestyle they wish to continue living or compromise living on.

Third, if you are in the United States, think about what the federal, state, and local government might think about you doing business from home if clients come to you.

Fourth, if you work for someone or a company that has a benefits package, are you willing to give that up and start paying your own way by freelancing full-time.

Fifth, consider the fact that as a freelancer you will be competing against other freelancers from around the world and some probably willing to work cheaper than you.

As a newbie freelancer, you have no portfolio, no reputation, and face it; no experience working with clients and understanding their needs.

Start slowly and build your credibility, reputation, brand and what is unique about what you have to offer potential clients so they choose you over another freelancer that has been doing it longer than you.

What is your Plan?

Have you thought about the following?

Do you even have a plan on how to proceed?

Have you written a business Plan?

How are you going to finance your freelancing?

Where are you going to work from?

Are you planning on establishing a separate business bank account?

What are you going to name your business?

Have you thought about a domain name for your website?

Are you going to create a blog?

If you are on social media, are going o create a separate business social media account.

Are you going to have a business phone and business cell phone separate from personal ones?

What about selling via a separate voice mail than your home voice mail?

Does this give you pause for thought?

I trust it does because there are many things to think about when calling yourself a freelancer and being willing to do whatever and however long it takes to become a freelancer making a living.

Many of the household names in online marketing have been at it for years. It is possible to take years to become an overnight success.

Any business that is still around started as a start-up and worked hard to become a success.

Have Questions about Running a Business

If you are in the United States, there are sources of information online at the following:

Are You a Magpie, always looking for the next shiny object, the male Magpie is always on the look for the next shiny object to entice a mate with the number of shiny objects.

Many entrepreneurs feel that the more they can learn or listen to the newest webinar, buy the newest book, listen to the newest podcast, spend untold dollars on anything or everything from the next guru they hear about.

Everyone feels inadequate at some point, whether newbie or seasoned. No one can live their life in their comfort zone, especially when starting out.

Most people have heard of “Chicken Soup for the Soul” by Jack Canfield. He received one-hundred and forty-four rejections of “Chicken Soup for the Soul” before finally being published.

How do you think he felt? Maybe inadequate? Was his idea a good one or a bad one? Was he chasing shiny objects? No he kept moving forward.

When is it time to walk the walk?

How many books do you need to read? How may programs do you need to buy? How many gurus do you need to listen to before you pull up your adult pants and get started doing?

If you’re afraid of failure, guess what. If you take personal responsibility for the outcome of your actions, you can learn more by failing than you can by success.

Failure is part of life. Do you think Thomas Edison was successful with every invention on the first try? No, but he did learn what didn’t work. The same goes for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Each one must find what works for them.

There is, no one size fits all, if there were, every business would be the same to some degree.

You are an individual, you learn at a pace and mode that may be different from the next person. What you need to learn is what works for you and what makes you different from others.

There are myriad businesses, entrepreneurs, and freelancers to choose from. What makes you different from the crowd, why should someone trust you with their project? This is what you need to learn about yourself and exploit your differences to build a trusting environment with your clients. Clients will not work with someone they don’t trust or have some form of relationship with.

Human beings have strengths and weaknesses. The entrepreneur’s job is to identify them and use them to their advantage.

Stop reading and spending your cash on the next shiny object and start doing the work needed to become a success, whatever that means for you. Realize that what you consider success may not be what someone else considers success. Only compare yourself to you, never someone else.

“The free-lance writer is a man who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps.”

— Robert Benchley

Although I classify myself as a writer, blogger, editor, proofreader, and reviewer I am also learning branding, marketing, and social selling as integral parts of working as a freelancer.

“Taming the Freelance Market” is the working title of my book about freelancing. The more I write, the more that needs researching and include enough information for would be freelancers, entrepreneurs and small businesses without causing information overload.

Work independently and on temporary contracts rather than for a long-term employer

Freelance used as an Adjective:

Working for yourself

Freelance used as a Noun:

A writer or artist who sells services to different employers without a long-term contract with any of them

What does this mean in plain English?

As a freelancer, you must maintain impeccable records of income and expenses (record keeping for taxes), medical and dental insurance, marketing, Web design, anything related to business is up to you. Freelancers receive no befits from employers, because freelancers are considered independent contractors.

Depending on the services rendered by an independent contractor, you may receive remuneration, but no credit for your work, one example is a Ghostwriter.”

I then mention some of the many types of freelance jobs available in chapter one, not just writing jobs.

“Taming the Freelance Market” is about working for yourself as a freelancer, entrepreneur, small business, independent contractor or whatever pigeonhole you choose.

If any readers have a comment or suggestions about subject(s) dealing with being or becoming a freelancer please use my contact page and send me a note, ask a question or (hint) hire me for your blog or website..

I try to help everyone with questions about freelancing, publishing, and writing; if I don’t know an answer I research to find the answer. I learn by researching, answering questions, which are a form of teaching, I am still learning about, branding, marketing, and social media but will help you wherever I can.

During the last few of weeks of 2014, how did your 2014 goals list compare to what you accomplished in 2014?

Did you periodically analyze your 2014 goals list and adjust your time and effort in achieving your goals?

Did you reach all of 2014 milestones? Why or Why not?

Have you listed and scheduled periodic reviews of your 2015 business goals and are ready to make changes along the way?

What are going to do differently in 2015 than you did in 2014 to achieve your goals list?

The final questions for this post will be the following:

Are you willing to expend the time and effort required during the year 2015 to achieve all items on your 2015 goals list?

Have you established your editorial calendar for your blog in 2015?

Does your business have a blog? Why or why doesn’t your business have a blog?

Every business needs a blog. Businesses that have a website should have a blog as part of their website or a standalone blog to engage customers, to keep customers updated on what is new in the business.

A blog is the perfect method of interacting with customers through your clear call to action. A call to action may be as simple as getting them to use your contact form or some other action that will tell you what your customers think and want on your site.

In addition to a blog or website, businesses need a social media presence to inform potential customers of information about themselves through interpersonal communication. The main point of social media is to establish relationships with individuals that may be in need of what your business offers.

Social media is also a good platform to mention a sale, discount, survey, or what is happening in a business. Social media allows businesses to learn what customers are looking for by asking questions or have a complaint about something that a business may be able to help with.

Using social media allows businesses to view the pulse of what people want through what they share. How businesses are using social media to their advantage in finding new customers and how businesses use social media for brand marketing.

No one can learn the nuances of social media overnight. In the era of digital, social media and mobile is necessary for businesses to survive and thrive in the digital world we live in.

2015 is a new start for every business from freelancer to large corporation to learn new technologies and use them to their advantage in establishing and growing brand awareness.

Using technology is paramount for entrepreneurs to compete with larger businesses in the digital market.

Annually entrepreneurism is growing worldwide because individuals can no longer rely on the economy on a global scale. It is up to individuals to create their own economy through entrepreneurism. Taking courses in entrepreneurship is no longer a luxury but a necessity in these times of global economic uncertainty facing everyone. There are no longer jobs where one could follow in their father or grandfather’s company.

Those seeking work as more people retire and more jobs outsourced to countries because of lower pay and tax breaks, gainful employment is becoming a myth. Individuals have to fend for themselves in creating a living wage.

Is it easy being an entrepreneur? The short answer is no. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart, but it can be rewarding for those willing to work hard and gin the knowledge required to be a successful entrepreneur in today’s economy.

If you have the money to outsource your marketing, DIY is not something you might care about, for those who cannot afford outsourcing costs, think about DIY marketing.

I call DIY marketing, grassroots marketing.

DIY obviously means you are doing your own marketing for a reason. The main reason is the expense of outsourcing your marketing, or it might be the fact that you just do not know who should be your outsourcer for marketing.

There are many outsourcers. The question is about experience in relation to cost. No outsourcer can guarantee an infusion of customers, traffic, conversions, or other so-called promises while being ethical in marketing your business, which is your brand reputation.

All brands should stand for honesty, integrity, and quality.

DIY Marketing is about establishing a brand that is authentic, helpful, respectful of customer’s needs, and transparent.

Marketing is about establishing relationships with potential and existing customers.

Helping customers determine the product or service that best suits their needs

Integrity in dealing with customers

Quality products or services

Understanding your customer

Understanding your customer’s needs

Unbelievably, word of mouth is still the best way to advertise and grow a business.

Social media is one of the largest wastes of time for any business.

From a personal perspective, social media is getting worse every day. More people are using social media to inform people about lunch, and other worthless non-relevant sharing of tasteless political, religious posts.

Individuals have the right to their opinions, and individuals have the right not read what people have to say.

Many of the posts on Google + will remind one of being on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter with all of the inane personal posts.

From a purely personal perspective, over 80 percent of messages received are not relevant to learning, connecting, or helping any entrepreneur with their business. This statistic does not bode well for making connections and marketing your business.

A piece of advice for Google + users, choose the people you follow wisely and make sure their posts are relevant to your business, if they are not, do not waste your time reading their posts.

Social media is NOT about followers, it is however, about relevant followers, please do yourself a favor, NEVER buy followers or likes, which can make you look desperate and penalized in Google ratings or worse.

No business or entrepreneur sets up to look desperate for customers. Desperation ruins reputation faster than client’s bad opinions of a business.

Any business must be authentic, if nothing you do or use is not relevant to your business, how authentic is it.

From personal examination, as far as social media platforms go, more businesses are on Google + than many of the other social platforms.

The role of social media it to engage like minds or to follow thought leaders, you do not have to follow everyone that follows you. Only follow those that have something to say that is relevant to you or your business. Social media is not about what you had for lunch or trying to sell you followers or something else you are not interested in, social media is about establishing relationships and learning.

If you garner anything from this post, let it be this; social media platforms are meant to engage, build relationships, and most importantly, help people.

This is this author’s opinion, and not meant to be for everyone. Think about what is best for your purposes when using social media.

First, before you get to the quiz, there are three types of a home-based business.

You work with customers via telecommuting

Customers come to your residence

You visit the customers location

Each has their own requirements.

Now for the quiz:

Have you ever run a business?

Do you have a business plan?

What is your mission statement?

Do you have a marketing plan?

Do you have a marketing budget?

How much money do you have for startup?

Have you thought of a domain name that explains your business?

Have you thought about Internet presence?

Have you thought about web hosting?

Who will design your site?

Have you thought about a blog?

What is your social plan?

Do you have reliable high speed Internet?

Do you have a computer less than two-years old?

Do you have a separate phone line with voicemail?

Have you checked the requirements for running a home-based business?

Do you need special permits or a business license to run your business?

Have you thought about business insurance?

Do you have space in your home to run your business?

Who will do the business accounting?

Who will keep records?

Who will create and maintain a schedule for the business?

How many hours are you willing to work in your business?

How many hours are available for your business?

How much of your business can you afford to outsource?

Outsourcing can be expensive, unless you have a large budget, all aspects of running your business is up to you. Do you know where to find and choose the right person to outsource to for your business?

NOTE: Never spend more money on your business than you can afford without going into debt.

From an entrepreneur to corporation need an Internet presence to run and grow a business in today’s digital world.

The problem that most people are not clear what “presence” means in plain English. There is some much jargon, so-called gurus, marketers, and others with software, books, PLR, and more all selling for a price.

No one needs to spend money on programs, software, which are, one size fits all type of hype.

Building a presence takes time, and patience. There are no shortcuts or special software that can build a presence that reflects you, you are unique because of your life experiences, and you are not the same as everyone. You work the way you do because of who you are by the life you

There is no question as to whether or not you need an Internet presence, anyone working online needs one, and even brick and mortar businesses need a presence.

How to Build an Internet Presence

Have a website

Have a blog

Social network

Social media

Comment on other people’s blogs

Build relationships via social media

Join social groups related to your business

Build a portfolio

Be engaging

Answer questions

Ask relevant questions to your business or engagement

Post subjects relevant to potential customers/clients

Do not be spammy

Do not be all about selling

Do not be pushy

It is not as hard as it seems, it just takes time to build a respected presence, or unrespectability because of how you present your business online.

Just be ethical and real in all you do so your business remains in a good light.

With the week beginning January 6 2014, the first full week of the New Year and probably starting a new workweek, it is time to begin anew as small business, entrepreneur, or author.

Time to begin re-evaluating what worked, and did not in 2013 for your business.

When was the last time you looked at your business plan?

When was the last time you looked at your marketing plan?

When was the last time you looked at you social media strategy?

When was the last time you re-evaluated your Internet platform?

In 2013, how often to you revisit the above. At a minimum, you should at least ever six-months. You must also be flexible to changes in the economy, social media, ROI, and any factors that may affect your business.

Has your reason for starting a business changed? What about your business outlook. As you move forward in 2014, still working with the same assumptions of 2013 is not going to help your business grow.

A business like an automobile has to be driven, in order to get results.” — B.C. Forbes

Without the latest results, how can you drive your business forward?

Have you ever set up a business plan for your business?

There is enormous amount of consideration, information, and strategies needed before beginning any business if it is to succeed. Failure in the beginning, your business is doomed to failure.

It is all about knowing how your business is functioning that explains to the business owner what needs tweaking to move forward. If you have no results, or some way of looking at them and being able to adjust, how are you going to grow the business?

Decision Making Skills When it Comes to Outsourcing Methodologies (Photo credit: FreelancersElite Graphics)

Working as a solo-preneur isn’t easy and takes compartmentalization of many tasks

Unless you can afford to outsource many of the tasks needed to run a business, especially an online business, you will need to set a schedule and work long hours even though you may think the working from home is preferable to working for someone else.

A short list of tasks that the entrepreneur must handle, unless they have the money to outsource the tasks; many people wishing to start a business are on a limited budget, and can’t afford to outsource are listed below:

How much of this can the average want-to-be entrepreneur working for a living can afford to outsource from their paycheck from their present job?

Chances are, not much, which leaves little to none for outsourcing. This leaves the tasks list to the want-to-be businessperson to do it themselves, this is what an entrepreneur is, and has to be if they wish to have a successful business.

You may think you don’t need to schedule tasks for your business. You’ll find out just how important it is to set a time frame for each task or you’ll be so encumbered that you will become frustrated and want to walk away.

Keep track of your time and don’t let any single task overtake the time from another task. It is easy to work on Email and not have time for marketing or blogging, or any other task that needs its own time.

This is called overwhelm and procrastination.

Create a daily schedule and To-Do list the night before.

Just some of the items you will learn along the way unless you plan ahead so your business runs smoothly and efficiently.

Be careful what you outsource when it comes to quality. Lesser quality reflects on you, not the outsourcing company. It’s your business that will suffer from using outsourcing that is not up to par.